Photo by Emma Delk Board of Commissioners President Jerry Echemann said the $500,000 from their Gernal Fund going towards the Belmont County Land Bank would allow the organization to go “over and above” their normal demolition work.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Belmont County commissioners approved a $500,000 cash advance from the general fund to speed up demolition projects for the Belmont County Land Reutilization Corp., aka the land bank.

The advance will be repaid in 12-18 months and cover the costs of projects “over and above” the land bank’s normal demolition work, commission President Jerry Echemann said during Wednesday’s meeting.

Commissioner Josh Meyer and Echemann serve on the Land Bank Association Board. Meyer drew attention to Belmont County Treasurer and land bank Chairwoman Kathy Kelich and land bank Director Tim Hall staying “very active” to keep projects progressing through 2024.

“We want to be a little bit more aggressive this year,” Meyer added. “Kathy had to ask for an advance from us, and we thought that would be a prudent move and good use of those funds to take down dilapidated structures that are an eyesore to different communities. We’ll go ahead and be able to do more of those this year.”

The reserve funding going toward the land bank will allow the organization to “speed up projects,” Echemann said. With the group planning to expand its work this year and demolish more than 40 properties, Echemann applauded the organization for being “as aggressive as it is.”

“This funding allows them to move through the demolition process a lot quicker and eventually get reimbursements that we paid to them back to the county,” Echemann noted. “No general fund money is lost in this regard, but it allows for projects to move even quicker than they already are.”

Commissioner J.P. Dutton outlined that the board has successfully provided funding in the same way for county Engineer Terry Lively for the “last couple of years.”

“In terms of what the townships are trying to do, we take a little bit of money in reserve and advance it to the county engineer,” said Dutton. “He then works with the townships on their chip and seal programs, and then there’s reimbursement at the end of the year.”

This deal between commissioners and the county engineer has allowed Lively to “not tie up all his funds” for a township chip and seal program, Dutton explained.

“By using these other funds he continues what he’s doing, and then the county gets reimbursed by the end of it,” Dutton said. “It’s just some out-of-the-box type thinking to make programs work as quickly as they can.”

The commissioners also approved a consulting agreement with LNE Group LLC of $6,000 per month for consulting services.

The lobbyist group will assist the commissioners in securing dedicated funding in Ohio’s One-Time Strategic Community Investment fund and the fiscal year 2025 Congressionally Directed Spending process, effective March 20, 2024 through March 31, 2025

Echemann explained LNE will make pitches for the commissioners’ earmarks in Washington for various projects.

“Frankly, if you don’t have anybody trying to plead your case on something like that you may not have a real good chance,” said Echemann, who noted the collaboration would help the board get projects moving by securing federal and state funding.

“It’s going to cost us a little bit, but when you add up the kind of earmarks and grants we can get with them, that will end up paying for itself in terms of money brought back to Belmont County,” Echemann said.

Dutton agreed, noting that the board has been able to “bring in a tremendous amount” of state and federal funds to Belmont County. He said the LNE partnership would take this effort to “another level.”

“We’ve been successful through the federal spending bills and the state spending bills,” said Dutton. “We have a great relationship with our legislators, but again I think this is looking to try to go to another level higher to bring even more additional dollars.”

In addition, commissioners approved Echemann to sign an FAA Grant Contract for the Barnesville-Bradfield Airport. A federal share of $78,165, a state share of $4,342 and a local share of $4,343 will be used to establish a new airport control and an updated obstruction survey.

“This is a great airport in the county, and we’ve been blessed to be able to help them,” said Meyer. “I’m glad it’s getting some more funds through these grants. They’ve made many improvements up there in the last few years.”